"The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses," the OSP website says.

Apparently, Oregon motorists are flunking that education.

Last year, during the second year of Oregon's hands-free cell phone law, State Police pulled over 3,782 drivers suspected of texting or talking on a handheld phone, a 7 percent increase over 2010.

Troopers issued 1,423 tickets statewide, a 39 percent increase over the year before, and 2,359 warnings, an 8 percent decrease.

There are plenty – too many – tragic tales of distracted driving causing deaths on the roads. But the heart-breaking tale of Mathieu Fortin and his girlfriend's final text message left me especially verklempt.

The Canadian man and 20-year-old Emy Brochu were texting each other while she drove to a college class.

He posted her last text behind the wheel on a Facebook memorial page, saying, “Share this if it touches you! I love you Emy xoxo.”

The texts, translated from French:

Her: “I love you too and I’ll try to make you happy.”

Him: “I have a meeting at 12:30. I would have liked to hear your beautiful voice before but…we’ll talk tonight before 6:00…good day at school bb and I kiss you all over :).”

After several minutes, she hadn't responded. He texted again: “Is all well my heart? I’m a little worried here.”

On the Facebook page, Fortins wrote that he hoped posting the texts would make others think twice before texting and driving.